ADVOCATE HARBOUR, NS, April 23, 2019 /CNW/ - It's in our nature to conserve our land and water, protect our wildlife and save the places we love. But the world's nature is in decline, with wilderness disappearing at a rapid rate and wildlife populations falling by 60 per cent since 1970. That's why Canada is making the single largest investment to protect nature in Canadian history, announced in Budget 2018, and is doubling the amount of protected nature in Canada’s lands and oceans.
Today, Bill Casey, Member of Parliament for Cumberland—Colchester, on behalf of Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced the intent to establish a new National Wildlife Area on Isle Haute, in the upper Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia.
The Government of Canada will continue to engage with the First Nations of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and other groups and communities in the area to explore opportunities for partnering in the protection of this special place.
For centuries, this three-kilometre-long island was a meeting place for the Mi'kmaq. Today, Isle Haute, or High Island (in reference to the island's steep cliffs), is a destination for day trippers and scientists who marvel at the island's wildlife, including 60 species of birds, such as the Peregrine Falcon, the Great Blue Heron and the Common Eider, as well as 300 species of plants.
As a National Wildlife Area managed by Environment and Climate Change Canada, Isle Haute's unique ecosystem would be protected for all Canadians to enjoy and for future generations. Its protection would also contribute 80 hectares to Canada's goal to double the amount of nature protected across Canada.
The announcement comes as Canada is set to host an international summit with nature champions from around the world, on April 24-25 in Montréal, to ramp up collaboration and increase ambition for protecting more of the world's nature.
Quotes
"Canadians love nature. That's why the Government of Canada is stepping up and doubling the amount of land, forest, coastline and ocean being protected across Canada. The protection of Isle Haute has been a work in progress for many years. It's thanks in large part to the leadership of Bill Casey that we've reached this milestone. As a National Wildlife Area, this special island would be preserved for all Canadians for all time."
– Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada
"The Government of Canada has had a long appreciation for the history and unspoiled nature of Isle Haute in the Bay of Fundy. That is why Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard in partnership with Environment and Climate Change Canada are proposing to protect this as a National Wildlife Area, which will be further discussed with Indigenous organizations and local stakeholders. This is an important step to ensure the island and the pristine water that surrounds it continues to support an abundance of wild land and marine life, while remaining a natural treasure for Canadians now and in the future."
– Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
"Eighteen years ago, I saw a posting in the Canadian Geographic magazine that said Isle Haute was for sale. Today, I'm proud to announce that it belongs to all Canadians and that its unique nature will be protected forever. I'm excited to continue working with local Indigenous groups and other partners to set this fine example of what we can achieve for Canada's nature when we work together."
– Bill Casey, Member of Parliament for Cumberland—Colchester
Quick facts
- From April 24 to 25, 2019, Canada will host the Nature Champions Summit in Montréal. Nature champions from all walks of life, including major philanthropists, business leaders, non-governmental organizations, United Nations agencies, Indigenous leaders and environment ministers from around the world, will come together to build a high-ambition coalition and drive global nature protection forward.
- As part of Budget 2018's historic investment in nature, the Government of Canada is investing $1.3 billion over five years to protect Canada's nature, parks and protected areas so that Canadians can continue to hike in our majestic forests and swim in our beautiful lakes, rivers and streams.
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Associated links
- Nature Fund: Pathway to Target 1 Challenge
- The Government of Canada is protecting nature through investments in Canada's natural heritage
- Canada's Nature Legacy: it's in our nature to protect
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page
Follow the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Follow the Canadian Coast Guard on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada
For further information: Contacts, Sabrina Kim, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-743-7138, [email protected]; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free), [email protected]; Jocelyn Lubczuk, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, 343-548-7863, [email protected]; Media Relations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 613-990-7537, [email protected]
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